EX PARTE APPLICATION FOR TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER

(Vermont Superior Court – Civil Division)

[// GUIDANCE: Prepared for TRO practice under V.R.C.P. 65(b) and related Vermont statutory provisions (e.g., 12 V.S.A. §§ 4443–4454). Confirm compliance with Vermont Judiciary electronic filing procedures (V.R.E.F. 11), county-specific standing orders, and emergency motion protocols.]

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Caption ..................................................................................................................... 1
2. Ex Parte Application and Notice ............................................................................. 2
3. Memorandum of Law .............................................................................................. 4
   3.1 Introduction ................................................................................................ 4
   3.2 Procedural Background ............................................................................ 4
   3.3 Legal Standard (V.R.C.P. 65) ................................................................. 5
   3.4 Argument ................................................................................................... 6
   3.4.1 Immediate and Irreparable Harm ................................................. 6
   3.4.2 Likelihood of Success on the Merits ............................................ 7
   3.4.3 Balance of Equities and Public Interest ...................................... 8
   3.5 Requested Relief and Security ................................................................. 9
4. Counsel Certification Regarding Notice .............................................................. 10
5. [Proposed] Order .................................................................................................. 12
6. Certificate of Service (V.R.C.P. 5) ....................................................................... 14

(Page numbers will update during formatting)

1. CAPTION

text
STATE OF VERMONT
SUPERIOR COURT
[CIVIL] DIVISION
[COUNTY] UNIT
Docket No. [Case Number]

[PLAINTIFF NAME], )
Plaintiff, )
v. ) EX PARTE APPLICATION FOR
) TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER
[DEFENDANT NAME], )
Defendant. )

2. EX PARTE APPLICATION AND NOTICE

TO: [Opposing Counsel/Party]

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that [Moving Party] seeks an ex parte Temporary Restraining Order pursuant to V.R.C.P. 65(b). The application will be presented to the Honorable [Judge Name] on [Hearing Date] at [Time], or at the earliest opportunity permitted, at [Courthouse Address].

Immediate and irreparable harm will result before this matter can be heard on regular notice because [Describe imminent harm: e.g., unlawful eviction, destruction of property, disclosure of proprietary information, environmental damage]. Monetary damages and other legal remedies are insufficient to address the threatened injury.

Notice was [provided/not provided] to [Opposing Counsel/Party] on [Date] at [Time] via [telephone/email/personal service], as detailed in the Counsel Certification. [// GUIDANCE: If notice is excused, outline the specific efforts undertaken and the reasons notice should be waived consistent with V.R.C.P. 65(b)(1).]

This Application is supported by the Verified [Complaint/Petition], affidavits/declarations of [Names], the accompanying Memorandum of Law, the Counsel Certification Regarding Notice, and the [Proposed] Order filed concurrently.

DATED: [MM/DD/YYYY]

text
Respectfully submitted,

[LAW FIRM NAME]

By: _____
[ATTORNEY NAME], Vermont Bar No. [Number]
Attorneys for [Moving Party]

3. MEMORANDUM OF LAW

3.1 Introduction

[// GUIDANCE: Provide a concise overview of the emergency, requested relief, and supporting legal authority.]

3.2 Procedural Background

1. Filing Date: [Date complaint/petition filed]
2. Service Status: [Summarize service efforts or waiver]
3. Prior Proceedings: [Identify related orders, administrative actions, or agreements]
4. Events Triggering Emergency Relief: [Chronological description]

3.3 Legal Standard (V.R.C.P. 65)

V.R.C.P. 65(b) authorizes a temporary restraining order without notice if (1) specific facts in an affidavit or verified complaint clearly show immediate and irreparable injury will occur before the adverse party can be heard, and (2) the movant’s attorney certifies efforts made to provide notice and reasons why notice should not be required. Vermont courts consider (a) likelihood of success on the merits, (b) irreparable harm, (c) balance of equities, and (d) the public interest. See Taylor v. Town of Cabot, 2017 VT 92, ¶ 22; In re Gadhue, 149 Vt. 322, 544 A.2d 1151 (1987).

3.4 Argument

3.4.1 Immediate and Irreparable Harm

[// GUIDANCE: Detail the imminent harm and explain why it cannot be remedied by monetary damages. Cite specific affidavits or exhibits.]

3.4.2 Likelihood of Success on the Merits

[// GUIDANCE: Analyze the underlying causes of action with Vermont statutory and case law support. Address anticipated defenses.]

3.4.3 Balance of Equities and Public Interest

[// GUIDANCE: Explain how the requested relief maintains the status quo, minimizes prejudice to Defendant, and supports public policy (e.g., environmental protection, contractual enforcement).]

3.5 Requested Relief and Security

[// GUIDANCE: Enumerate the requested TRO terms, request scheduling of a preliminary injunction hearing within the time limits of V.R.C.P. 65(b), and address bond/security requirements under V.R.C.P. 65(c).]

4. COUNSEL CERTIFICATION REGARDING NOTICE

I, [Counsel Name], certify under penalty of perjury that:

1. I represent [Moving Party] in this matter.
2. On [Date] at [Time], I notified [Opposing Counsel/Party] of the intent to seek an ex parte TRO by [method].
3. The response received was [Describe response/no response].
4. If notice was not provided, I made the following diligent efforts: [Detail efforts]. Notice should be excused because [Explain exigent circumstances consistent with V.R.C.P. 65(b)(1)].
5. I advised [Opposing Counsel/Party] that the application would be presented on [Hearing Date] at [Time] in [Courtroom].

Executed on [MM/DD/YYYY] at [City, State].

text

[COUNSEL NAME], Vermont Bar No. [Number]

5. [PROPOSED] ORDER

text
STATE OF VERMONT
SUPERIOR COURT
[CIVIL] DIVISION
[COUNTY] UNIT
Docket No. [Case Number]

[CAPTION SAME AS ABOVE]

[PROPOSED] TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER AND ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE

Upon consideration of the Ex Parte Application of [Moving Party], the supporting affidavits, and the Attorney Certification, the Court FINDS that immediate and irreparable harm will result before Defendant can be heard. It is ORDERED:

1. The Ex Parte Application is GRANTED pursuant to V.R.C.P. 65(b).
2. [Specify injunctive provisions, including prohibitions or mandatory directives.]
3. Defendant shall appear on [Date] at [Time] in Courtroom [Number] to show cause why a preliminary injunction should not issue.
4. [Service] Moving Party shall serve this Order, the Application, and supporting materials by [method] on or before [Date], and file proof of service.
5. [Security] Moving Party shall post bond in the amount of $[Amount] pursuant to V.R.C.P. 65(c) by [Date], unless waived by the Court for good cause shown.
6. This Order shall expire at [Time] on [Date] unless extended after the show-cause hearing or by further order of the Court.

SO ORDERED.

Date: _____ _____
Hon. [JUDGE NAME]
Vermont Superior Court Judge

6. CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE (V.R.C.P. 5)

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CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I certify that on [Date], I served the foregoing EX PARTE APPLICATION FOR TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER on the following:

[Service List: Name, Firm, Address, Email]

☐ Vermont Judiciary e-filing system (E-Filing Portal)
☐ E-Mail (consent obtained)
☐ First-Class Mail
☐ Overnight Delivery
☐ Personal Service by [Process Server]

I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.

Date: [Date]

[NAME OF DECLARANT]

[// GUIDANCE: Attach supporting affidavits, exhibits, and any county-specific emergency motion cover sheets or ADR certifications.]